Sustainability and Re-invention: The Pot Drum in Sri Lanka

Abstract

As indicated by archeological and literary sources, the pot drum has been a membranaphone of popular use since the Anuradhapura kingdom. It has been seen in various forms as Kumbha beraya, kala beraya, bummadiya or bimbisaka. This drum, being made out of clay in the shape of a gourd with an elongated neck or in that of a clay pot had a stretched skin of goat hide, monitor lizard hide or monkey hide. The use of these raw materials and how it brings harmony between the pottery industry and villagers in the processes of making the bummadiya is of importance. Through this research, understanding the Sri Lankan pot drum as a primary musical instrument and studying its historical and cultural aspects served as a foundation. After which, the objectives of identifying the role the pot-drum plays in sustainability were discussed. Finally, an investigation into an evolutionary stage of the pot drum in modern times, the thunpata beraya, was investigated. While this is a qualitative research, literary and archeological sources were used to collect data through discussions and field visits. The cultural texts and articles written throughout the ages on the Sri Lankan pot drum were used as secondary sources. Judgment sampling was the background behind the selection of data sources. Audio-visual methods were also used in collecting data. The human activity of using a material such as clay to express creativity in the form of music is of significance here.